Extremely dry conditions across the Northwest Territories have led to high to extreme wildfire danger in most forested areas of the territory. Various government departments are working to coordinate resources and response to these wildfires. These departments and their responsibilities include:
Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA)
MACA is responsible for emergency measures and coordinating resources and information between all GNWT departments as well as community governments and stakeholders to ensure the security of NWT communities and residents during wildfire season.
MACA officials are working with regional and local officials to ensure community emergency plans are in place should a community be threatened by wildfire and an evacuation be required.
MACA is reminding anyone living in remote areas to maintain awareness of fire activity in their area and to evacuate if necessary. All residents should also ensure that their insurances are valid and current and, if possible, work to clear any brush or other flammable materials around their properties.
Transportation (DOT)
The Department of Transportation is monitoring wildfire situations and smoke conditions on NWT highways to ensure that roadways are safe. DOT is effecting road closures in areas where smoke or fire may prevent safe passage of highways.
DOT is providing regular updates to NWT residents through local media, twitter, the DOT website, email commercial alerts and a toll free phone line.
Variable message boards are in place on highways where there may be safety issues due to wildfire. Residents should observe any signage and follow instructions.
All NWT highways are open to traffic; however, the status may change on short notice due to changing weather conditions.
Highway 1: Smoke from a forest fire is reducing visibility on Highway 1 near of kilometre 158 between Enterprise and Kakisa. Drive with caution. Highway 1 is open to traffic at this time; however, conditions may change on short notice.
Highway 3: Highway 3 is open to traffic. This may change on short notice. Visibility continues to be reduced due to heavy smoke. Drivers are asked to drive with caution.
Environment and Natural Resources (ENR)
Environment and Natural Resources is coordinating fire suppression activities and providing information on current wildfire conditions across the territory.
An Incident Command team, fire crews, helicopters and water bombers are on the Kakisa fire. Crews have cat guards in place and are working on a burn-out line along the Kakisa access road and Highway 1 to stop the spread of the fire.
ENR has a structural protection team from Alberta monitoring the structures in Kakisa to protect community infrastructure. No structures have been impacted to date.
Fireguards are holding around the Taltson dam. A burn out operation to protect the facilities on Wednesday was successful. Crews are currently mopping up and putting out hot spots There are 22 firefighters and two helicopters working the fire today.
A complex of fires is burning in the Birch Lake/Chan Lake area about 80 km south of Behchoko. The fires total about 90,000 ha in size. Smoke from this complex resulted in the closure of Highway 3 Wednesday and Thursday. The situation is being evaluated for long term growth and response options.
ENR is evaluating a several other fires in both the North and South Slave regions. Values at risk are being protected as required.
The Territorial Fire Centre in Fort Smith coordinates fire suppression, resources and provides up to date information on fire conditions across the NWT.
Quick Facts: Kakisa Fire:
- Fire is now approximately 60,000 hectares in size.
- On 27 June, 28 residents of Kakisa evacuated to Hay River and Fort Providence.
- On 1 July, the remaining seven residents of Kakisa also evacuated.
- Late on 2 July and early 3 July the fire burned around the community without loss of community structure.
- It may be a few more days before the wildfire risk reduces and ENR completes clean-up operations.
Contacts:
For updates on evacuations and emergency management efforts call : Amy Simpson (MACA) at 867-873 – 7613
For updates on road closures and highway safety call : Patricia Russell (DOT) at 867-447-1368 (1DOT)
For updates on wildfires and suppression efforts call: Dawn Curtis (ENR) at 867-446-6169
Information current as of 3:24 p.m., July 4, 2014. Further updates will be issued as new information becomes available.